Clutch structure for crawler tractors



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 u?? Q3 PM July 2, 19456. R. D. AcToN l l yCLUTCH STRUCTURE FOR CRAWLER TRACTORS Filed Jan. 26, 1944 July 2., 194e. R. D. ACTON 2,403,322

CLUTCH STRUCTURE FOR CRAWLER TRACTRS lFiled June 2e, 1944 2 sheets-sheet 2 figa if Patented July 2, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLUTCH STRUCTURE FR CRAVVLER TRACTORS Russel l). Acton, Chicago, Ill., assignor to international Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application J une 26, 1944, Serial No. 542,143

13 Claims.

application-of power. The final drive mechanism includes a pair of steering clutch units which maybe selectively controlled by the operator for steering the tractor. In the larger sizes oi such tractors, these steering clutches are of the multiple disk type and are of considerable size and weight. As a consequence, the removal of clutches for repairs and service is a major consideration in the design of these tractors'. The hard and continuous use to which these tractors are subjected requires frequent servicing cf the clutch units. It is desirable, therefore, to provide an assembly which will make the task of removing the clutches simple, easy and time saving Without requiring the removal or adjustment` of other collateral parts of the tractor and the tractor drive mechanism.

In prior art devices such as shown in the Bake-r et al. Patent 2,197,289, constructions have been provided which facilitate removal of the clutch device and its associated vparts through an opening in the body or transmission housing of the tractor. The present invention relates. to an improvement in a removable type of clutch construction as shown in said patent.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved clutch device which permits removal from a power transmission line without altering the driving and driven, members.

Another important object is to, provide an improved clutch assembly of the multiple plate type which has two spaced attaching faces to' which driving and driven members may be readilysecured by bclting whereby the clutch device may be readily removed- Another object is to provide a removable clutch construction to be yinserted between the driving and driven members in which axial alinement of the driving and driven members has a minimum eiect upon the clutch device and its component parts.

Another object is to provide a removable clutch device with a throw-out mechanism which remains on the driven member when the clutch is removed from its operative position.V

Briefly the above dened and other desirable objects'may be achieved' as illustrated in one preferred embodiment of the invention, in which a track-laying tractor has a body portion formed with a clutch compartment and a` power input compartment housing a drive pinion and a bevel gear, said gear being carried by a rotatablymounted internally splined driving member. A splined shaft slidably mounted in said member provides the necessary endwise movement required for separating an attaching ange and a clutch assembly, whereby the clutch may be unbolted from the flange and from a ange on-a driving member and removed from the clutch compartment.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the rear body or frame housing of a crawler tractor, showing a center gear compartment, a clutch compartment, and a portion of a final drive housing; y

Figure 2 is a vertical section showing a substantial portion of the structure of Figure 1 with the clutch device in partially removed position; and

FigurevS is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

The Baker et al. patent previously referred to shows a substantial portion of a track-laying tractor of the type for which the clutch device of this invention was designed. The rear body of the tractor, which mayl be considered as the tractor frame and also as a housing for the drive mechanism, is shown only suiiiciently to show the mounting and positioning of the-power input and the power output shafts. The tractor body ll ill as illustratedis provided with spaced walls I I which form a lubricant contained gearing compartment I?. which in a tractor construction is midway of the two steering clutch compartments I3. A

Vbearing assembly I5 is illustrated as supported in a holder assembly I6` tted into an opening I'I in the housing IU.

A power input means in the form of a pinion shaft I8 is mounted in the bearing assembly I5 meshing with a bevel gear I 9, vwhich is rigidly secured by cap screws 2U to a driving member 2 I.

Said driving member is carried by bearing as,

semblies 22 at the ends thereof in members 23 which are rigidly secured by cap vscrews 24 to the walls Il` of the gear compartment previously referred to. The gear I 9 is held in position by the cap screws 20, shims 25 being provided for adjusting the gear with respect to the pinion. The driving force is transmitted from the gear I9 to the driving member 2l by internal teeth 25 on the gear I9 and external teeth 2l on the member 2|. Oil-sealed assemblies 28 fitted into recesses formed in the ends of the member 2I abut the inside walls of the members 23 to seal the gear compartment and' to provide an oil-tight reservoir.

The members 23 are provided with openings 29 slightly larger in diameter than the diameter' of a splined borer 3i! extending through the member 2|. AV portion cf a iinal drive housing 3| is shown as secured toa portion of the housing Iii over an Y 3 opening 32 formed therein concentric with the axis of the driving member 2|. A drive shaft 33 located in the final drive housing 3| is rotatablysupported by a ball bearing assembly 32. An annular member 35 fitted in the opening 32 carries" 33, lubricant is supplied to the ball-bearing aslsembly from the nal drive housing.

a seal 36 which forms an oil-tight compartment..-

in the nal drive housing 3|. The shaft 33 is provided with a disk-like extension or flange 31 located in the clutch compartment I3 adjacent the nal drive housing. Y Y The portions of the track-laying tractor describedup to this point constitute the means for p delivering power to an Ainternally splined driving member and for taking olf power from a flangedriven member. v It is in cooperation with these two .elements that the clutch construction of this invention functions. A shaft 38 is provided with a splined end 39 which slidably fits inthe inter- Y nally splined bore of the driving member 2 It will be notedthat with the clutch inoperative position, the inner end of the shaft is-'spaced a substantial distance from the center ofthe member 2|.Y It Willbe understood that with both shafts rspaced as shown, either shaft may be Vmoved endwiset'ne entire distance between their spaced ends, AFigure 2 shows how the shafts may be abutted together during removal of either one of the clutches. y

The shaft 38 is provided with asmooth portionbeyond the splined end 39 on which a clutch throw-outassembly is mounted. Said assembly includes a member 35 having a sleeve d slidable on the Vshaft 38 and an annular extensionrdi extending from one end of the sleeve. A plurality of clutch disengaging elements Vor fingers t2 circular Vin'cross-secton project from the flange 4| forja purpose'to be hereinafter described. A ball bearing assembly i3 is mounted Aon the sleeve e@ beingheld against displacement thereof by a collar MlKY threaded on the sleeve 46. A second clutch member 435 secured to the outer race of the ball bearing'assembly is provided with a pair of diametrically extending trunnions 46, by means 'of which the clutch throw-out assembly may be movedY axially of the shaft 33 by any Vconventional throw-out mechanism, it being understood that the member 45 isrheld against rotation with respect to the shaft 38, this being permitted by the ball bearing assembly 43.

The shaft 33 is provided opposite its splined Vend with a disk-likeextension or flange lll', which isv provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 48 around its periphery. lThe clutch disengaging Velements 42 previously re- ,ferred to extend through openings 4S formed in the flange 47. Y. f Y

An outer drum structure 5i) has a cylindrical 'An inner drum structure 59 is formed with a 'cylindrical portion '60 and a disk-like end portion 6|.

Said end portion is provided with an extension boss 62 on which the ball-bearing assembly 56 is seated, being secured thereto by a headed :clamping member 63 which extends through the end portion 6|. An oil seal 61% is fitted between the extension boss 62 and the adjacent portion of the end portion 53 of the drum structure 55.' Y Y Y n The cylindrical portion 55 of the'inner drum structure 55 is provided withfbosses 55 to provide reenforcements for cap screws 6 5 which secure the ange di rigidly to the inner drumstructure,

ya shoulder 5l being formed on the inner face of the iiange il to accurately center the inner drum structure coaxial with the shaft 36. A

As best shownin the upper portion'of Figurel, an annular clutch platesecuring member 55 is rigidly secured by'cap screws 59,110 the end of the circular portion 6| of the inner drum structure 59. As shown in Figure 3, the annular member has extension lugs whereinv the cap screws t 69 are located in order to, provide space for the cap screws 66 which secure the ange il to the inner drum structure. Inspection of Figure 3 will also show that scallops are formed in the Iiange 4l to'provide space for the securing lugs or extensions on the member 68. This construction permits unbolting and removal of the flange 41 without removing the member 68. This is necessary as the clutch plates are under compression when the clutch is removed from the tractor.v The outer drum structure is provided with internal teethv 15, which engage. notches formed in a plurality of metallic clutch platesy '|I. Such plates alternate Ywith a plurality of clutch plates 72', formed of: any suitable clutch K facing material, which are providedewith a plurality of notches engaging external teeth 'I3 formed on. the outside of the inner drum structure 59. The clutch plates abut the member 68 atrone end and are packed into vcontacting position by a packinglmember 14 at the other end. The packing member 14 extends a sufficient distance axiallyfrom the cylindrical portion of therdrum structure 59 to provide for maximum wear of the clutch plates before removal and replacement. Said packing member beyond this clearance distance is provided with form ar brake drum for a band type'brake 52.

Said brake may be actuated by any suitable Ymeans such as shown in the patent previously referred to. The drum structure 5|), in addition to the cylindrical portion, has a circular or disklike Yportion 53 which abuts against the flange 37 beingprovided with a center shoulder 511. 'The drum structure is secured to said flange by a plurality of cap screws 55, which may-be reached for removal through openings 56 provided in the cy-V lindrical portion of the drum structure adjacent the Ycircular end portion. f

Atn its center the end portion 53 of the drum structure 5U is provided with a shallow bore 55ar in which a ball bearing assembly 56 is secured. An oil seal 'llbetween the end portion 53 adjacent the bearing assembly 56 abuts an adjacent radial inward extensions 15, a plurality of which may be utilized. Clearance is provided for said extensions by openings 'I6 formed around the end Wall or face 6| of the inner1 drum structure. Within the drum structure a spring-retaining member '16', cup-like in its general formation, is secured by cap screws 1'! to the extensions V'|5. A compression spring 18 abuts the inside end wall 19 of the member 16 and a seat 80 formed around the inside surface of the end wall 6|.

It will be understood that the compression spring acts through the extensions 'I5 to urge the plates into contact and to maintain them in engaging position. A guide member in the form of a pin 8| rigidly secured to the inner drum structure 59 extends througha bore 82 formed in one` of the extensions T5 to hold the packing member 14 against rotation relative to the inner drum structure 59. Y

VIn the operation of the structure asabove de scribed, power is transmitted through the driving member 2| to theshaft 38, the ange 41,

andv the inner drum; structure 5!!y through the clutch plates 'H and 'l2 to the outer drum struc,- ture 5D and therefrom to thedriven shaft 33. By actuation of the clutch throw-out assembly, the lingers 4'2 abut the outer end wall of the member 16 compressing the spring 1B and moving the packing member- 14 away from the clutch plates,V whereby the application or power through the clutch is discontinued. The brake 52 may also be applied, if necess-aryg, to obtain short turn steeringI or braking. It will be understood that in manufacturing operations enlarge castings as utilized for the frames of` crawler tractors, it is very diiiicu'lt to maintain all the bores in absclute concentricity and to maintain all the flat surfaces on which seats are ,formed in parallelism and at right angles to the bores. `Eor that reason and due also to distortion in the frame upon vthe imposition of extremely heavy-loads, there is apt, to be considerable misalinement between the driving member 2 l andY the driven member 33. In the construction of this invention, it will be seen that the possible wobble due to such misalinement is reduced to a minimum. The splined shaft 38 is connected to the member 2;! very close` toits center, and the pilot bearing for the complete inner drum structure and-driving member 3,8 is located as close to the driven member 3.3. as. possible, while at the same time permitting removal ofthe clutch assembly. It will also be understood that. the separable joints between the clutch assembly and the driving and driven members are of such a nature that they may be easily and accurately made and removed and.

connected without the danger of misalinement. The spline within themember 2| may have sui'- cient clearance to permit slight eccentricity and misalinement of the. driving and driven menibers. The connection between the il'ange. @Tand the inner drum structure is of a large radius. whereby the torque may be easily transmitted through attaching bolts and whereby parallelism may be readily maintained. The same. is true of the connection between the flange 31 and the outer drum structure..

In removing the clutch assembly as shown. in Figure 2, it. is merely necessary to remove the cap screws 55. and 66 and slide the shaft 38 into the splined member ZI. The brake, band may then be removed, andthe clutch device be taken out through an opening in the. frame housingag shownin Figure 2. is-previously statedit is not necessary to. remove Oil from the gear chamber l2v or to disturb the adjustment of the bearings-or seals for said member. y

It is applicants intention tro-claim as his invention in this application all the novel featuresl of theA clutch constructionm and all the. equivalent constructions. The details of the driven member compartment and the` mounting of the members and seals therein are not claimed this construction is the subject in the copending ap.- plication Serial No. 542,142, filed June 216, 1944. Likewise, the pilot bearing construction and its seals and lubricating means are notclaimed. as these features are the subject-matter of the copending application.

What is claimed is:

1'. A clutch device adapted to be positioned in a power transmitting construction having an intern-allysplined driving member and a. driven member formed with an attaching portion com,- prising, av splined shaft slidably iittcd inA said splined member, said shaft being formed with an attaching flange, a removable clutch unit' including a plurality of clutch plates, an outer drum structure to which alternate clutch plates are drivingly connected and an inner drum structure to which alternate plates are drivinglyl connected, means for connecting the flange on the splined shaft to the inner drum structure, means for connecting the outer drum to the attaching portion on the driven member, releasable means within said drum structures for urging said plates together, and clutch operating means including a member supported around said shaft outside the drum structure and actuating means associated with said member and extending through the attaching flange on the splined shaft into operative relationship wthsaid releasable means.

2. A clutch device fora power transmittingV device havingy an internally splined driving member and a driven member formed with an attaching flange comprising, a splined shaft slidably lit-ted in said splined member, said shaft being formed with an attaching iiange, a clutch actuating structure including a member surrounding said shaft and an associated clutch actuating element movably extending through the flange, a removable clutch unit including a plurality of clutch plates, an outer drum structure to which alternate clutch plates are drivingly connected and an inner drum structure to which alternate plates are drivingly connected, means for connecting the flange on thesplined shaft to the inner drum structure, means for connecting the outerv drum structure to the flange of the driven'I member, and means for urging said clutch plates together, said clutch actuating element being constructed and arranged for engagement.

with the means for urging-the clutch rplaines together to overcome said means and release pressure on the clutch plates by movement of the clutch actuating element in one direction. 3. A clutch device for a power transmitting device having an internally splinedv driving member and a driven member formed with an attaching ilange-r comprising, a splined shaft slidably iitted in said splined member, said shaft being formed with an attaching flange formed with circumferentially spaced openings, a clutch actuating structure including a. member slidably mounted on said shaft and associated clutch actuating elements slidably extending through the openings in the flangeJ a removable clutch unit including a plurality of clutch plates, an outer drum structure to which alternate clutch plates are drivingly connected and an inner drum structure to which alternate plates are drivingly connected, means for connecting the flange on the splined shaft to the inner drum structure, and means for connecting the outer drum structure tothe flange of the driven member, means for urgingthe clutch plates together, said clutch actuating element being constructed and arranged for engagement with the means for urging` the clutch plates together to overcome said means, and release pressure on the clutch plates by movement of the clutch actuating element in one direction.

4. A clutch device adapted to be positioned in a power transmitting construction having a rotata-bly supported internally splined driving member and a driven member formed with an attaching portion comprising, a splinedy shaft slidably litted in said splined member, said shaft beingv formed with an attaching flange which forms the terminal end of the shaft, a removable clutch unit including a plurality of clutch plates,

' ably extending 7 an outer drum structure to which alternate clutch plates aredrivingly connected, an inner drum structure to which alternate plates are drivingly connected and resilient means for urging said plates into driving contact, said inner drum structure being journaled inV said outer drum structure, means for rigidly and detachably connecting the ange on the splined shaft to the inner drum structure, said drum structures and said attaching flange forming a hollow drum unobstructed in its central portion, and clutch operating means including means extending into said drum for overcoming said resilient means, and means for rigidly and detachably connecting Vthe outerY drum structure to the attaching portion of the driven member.

5. A clutch device adapted Yto be positioned in Va power transmitting construction having an internally Ysplined ldriving member and a driven member VVformed with an attaching flange comprising, a splined shaft slidably fitted in said splined member, said shaft being formed with an attaching flange whichrforms the terminal end of said shaft, a removable clutch unit including a plurality ofV clutch plates, an outer drum structure` having a circular end portion and a cylindrical peripheral portion to which alternate clutch plates aredrivingly connected and an inner drum structure having a circular end portion journaled in the end portion of the outer drum and a cylindrical peripheral portionto which alternate plates are .drivingly connected, means for connecting the flange on the splined shaft to the peripheral portion of the inner drum structure at the end thereof opposite the circular end Yportion whereby applied torque on the drivingmember is applied through said flange directly to said peripheral portion of the inner drum structure, means for connecting the peripheral portion of the outer drum structure to the flanged driven member, and resilient means for urging said plates together.

6. A clutchrdevice for a power vice having an internally splined driving4 member and a driven member formed with an attaching flange comprising, a splined shaft slidably tted in said splined member, said shaft being formed with an attaching flange, a clutch actuating structure slidably mounted on said shaft, said structure having clutch actuating elements slidably extending through the flange, a removable clutch unit including a plurality of clutchV plates, an outer drum structure to which alternate clutch plates are drivingly connected, an inner drum structure to which alternate plates are Vdrivingly connected, means for connecting the flange on the splined shaft to the inner drum structure, means Vfor connectingY the outer drum structure to the flange of the driven member, and means carried by the inner drum structure for transmitting lde- Y Y drivingly connected, a retainer member secured to said drum structure at one end thereof, a plate s packing member mounted for axial movement at the other end of said drum structure, spring means mounted within said drum structure, force transmitting means connecting said spring to the packing member, said clutch actuating elements being engageable with said forcetrans'- mitting means, means for connecting the flange on the splined shaft to the inner drum structure, and means for connecting the outer drum structure to the flange of the driven member. t

8. A steering clutch for crawler type tractors having a body structure providedrwith a gear compartment, a clutch compartment, anV internally splined driving member in the gear compartment and a driven member formed with an attaching flange in the clutch compartment com- Y ing a hollowrigid drum unobstructed in its in-V terior, means for detachably connecting the outer drum to the fiange on the driven member, and resilient means carried within the hollow Vdrum for urging said plates together.

9. A steering clutch for crawler typeptract'ors Y having a body structure provided' with a gear compartment and a clutchcompartment, an in- Y ternally splined driving member in the gear compartment and a driven member lformed with an attaching flange in prising, a splined shaft slidably fitted in said splined member, said shaft being formed with an attaching flange, a clutch actuating structure slidably mounted on said shaft, said structure having clutch actuating fingers slidably extending through the ange, a removable clutch unit including a plurality of clutch plates, an outer drum structure to which alternate clutch plates are drivingly connected, an inner drum structure to which alternate clutch plates are drivingly connected, means'for detachably connectingV the nange on the splined shaft to the inner drum `V structure, meansfor detachably connecting the" outer' drum lto the flangeV on the driven member, one of the drum Y and kresilient means carried by structures for urging said plates together.

1,0. In a removablesteering clutchV construction for track-laying tractors, a body portionfor the resiliently urging the clutch plates into driving Y relationship.

'7. A clutch device for a power transmitting device having an internally splined driving member and a driven member formed with an attaching flange comprising, a rsplined shaft slidably fitted in said splined member, said shaft being formed with an attaching flange, a clutch actuating structure slidably'mounted on said shaft,`said structure having clutch'actuating elements slidthrough the flange, a removable clutch `unit including a plurality of clutchplates, an outer drum structure to which alternate clutch plates Aare drivingly connected, an inner Vdrum, structure to which alternate plates are Y secured to the flanged shaft, a second drumlike structure surrounding said first structure spaced tractor formedwith a steering clutch compartment, a driven member mounted in the body portion of the tractor and having a disklike fiange located within and atone side of said compartment, an internally splined driving member mounted adjacent and outside the Yother side of the compartment, saidcompartment being provided with an opening adjacent said driving member for access thereto, a driving shaft slidably mounted for axial movement in said splined driving member, said shaft having a flanged end in the compartment,'a hollowV drumlike rstructure radially therefrom, said structures having driving teeth respectively on the outer surface ofthe sliding movement ofthe splined the clutch ,compartmentcominner structure and the inner surface of the outer structure, a plurality of clutch plates mounted between said drumlike structures being alternately engaged with the drum structures, an annular securing member for holding the plates in position at the attaching end of the inner drum structure, a clutch disk packing structure, a spring retaining member mounted within the inner drum structure and secured to said packing structure, a spring abutting said member and the inner axial face of said inner drum structure, said outer drum structure being removably secured to the flanged driven member for permitting removal of the clutch assembly, said inner drum structure being provided With a portion journaled in the axial face portion of the outer drum structure to provide a pilot bearing.

11. In a removable steering clutch construction for track-laying tractors, a body portion for the tractor formed with a steering clutch compartment, a driven member mounted in the body portion of the tractor and having a disklike ange located within and at one side of said compartment, an ,internallyl splined driving member mounted adjacent and outside the other side of the compartment, said compartment being provided with an opening adjacent said driving member for access thereto, a driving shaft slidably mounted for axial movement in said splined driving member, said shaft having a flanged end in the compartment, a hollow drumlike structure secured to the flanged shaft, a second drumlike structure surrounding said rst structure spaced radially therefrom, said structures having driving teeth respectively on the outer surface of the inner structure and the inner surface of the outer structure, a -plurality of clutch plates mounted between said drum structures being alternately engaged with the respective drum structures, an annular securing member for holding the plates in position at the attaching end of the inner drum structure, said member having spaced lugs for attachment to the drum structure and the flange on the shaft having spaced cut-away portions to accommodate said lugs whereby the flange can be removed from the drum structure for removal of the clutch assembly without removing the clutch plate securing member, a clutch disk packing structure including an annular member engageable with the clutch plates and portions extending radiallyinwardly, said inner drum structure being provided with openings through which said portions project, a spring retaining member mounted within the inner drum structure and secured to said portions, and a spring abutting said member and the inner axial face of the drum structure, said outer drum structure being removably secured to the flanged driven member for permitting removal of the clutch assembly, said inner drum structure being provided with a portion journaled in the axial face portion of the outer drum structure to provide a pilot bearing.

12. In a removable clutch construction for track-laying tractors, a body portion for the tractor formed with a steering clutch compartment,

a driven member mounted in the body portion of the tractor and having a flange located within and at one side of said compartment, an internally splined driving member mounted adjacent and outside the other side of the compartment, said compartment being provided with an opening adjacent said driving member for access thereto, a driving shaft slidabltrv mounted for axial movement in said splined driving member, said shaft having a flanged end in the compartment, a clutch throw-out structure mounted on said shaft, said structure having one portion slidably mounted on the shaft in axial direction and held for rotation with the shaft, the means for holding said portion against rotation being clutch actuating elements extending through the flange on the shaft, said clutch throw-out structure including a ball-bearing assembly mounted on the first named portion and a second portion, said second -portion being carried on the bearing assembly and being provided with means for holding against rotation withvthe shaft whereby force may be transmitted to the clutch throw-out structure, a hollow, drumlikeV structure secured to the flanged shaft, a second drumlike structure surrounding said first structure spaced radially therefrom, said structures having driving teeth respectively on the router surface of the inner structure and the inner surface of the outer structure, a plurality of clutch plates mounted between said drum structures being alternately engaged with the respective drum structures, an annular securing member for holding the plates in position at the attaching end of the inner drum structure, said member having spaced lugs Afor attachment to the drumV structure and the flange on the shaft having spaced, cut-away portions to accommodate said lugs whereby the flange can be removed from the drum structure for removal of the clutch assembly without removing the clutch plate securing member,` a clutch disk packing structure including an annular member engageable with the clutch plates and portions extending radially inwardly, said inner drum structure being provided with openings through which said portions project, a spring retaining member mounted within the inner drum structure and secured to said portions, and a spring abutting said member and the inner axial face of the drum structure, said outer drum structure being removably secured to the flanged driven member for permitting removal of the clutch assembly, said inner drum structure being provided with a portion journaled in the axial face portion of the outer drum structure to provide a pilot bearing.

13. A clutch device for a power transmitting device having an internally splined driving member and a driven member formed with an attaching flange comprising, a splined shaft slidably fitted in said splined member, said shaft being formed with an attaching flange, a clutch actuating structure mounted for axial movement with respect to said shaft, said structure having associated therewith a clutch actuating element extending through the flangea removable clutch unit including a plurality of clutch plates, an outer drum structure to which alternate clutch plates are drivingly connected, an inner drum structure to which alternate plates are drivingly connected, means for connecting the flange on the splined shaft to the inner drum-structure, means for connecting the outer drum structure to the flange of the driven member, and means carried by the inner drum structure and operably engageable by the clutch actuating element for resiliently urging the clutch plates into driving relationship.

RUSSEL D. ACTON. 

